The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has commenced a specialised human capital development programme aimed at equipping 300 young Nigerians with industry-relevant technical and professional skills required for successful careers in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

The initiative, known as the NCDMB–Renaissance Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Programme, is designed to strengthen local capacity by preparing young engineering graduates for employment through a combination of classroom instruction and practical industry experience.

The 12-month programme comprises three months of intensive classroom-based learning followed by nine months of structured on-the-job training with partner service companies operating in the oil and gas sector.

A total of 300 participants were selected after a competitive recruitment process, with 240 trainees undergoing the programme in Lagos and the remaining 60 in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the programme as another milestone in the Board’s efforts to deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry by developing a highly skilled local workforce capable of supporting future investments.

Represented by the Assistant Manager, Human Capacity Development, Mr. Tari Bufazi, Ogbe said the initiative aligns with the Board’s statutory mandate of building indigenous capacity, increasing Nigerian content participation and creating employment opportunities that contribute to national economic growth.

According to him, participants will receive practical industry exposure that will culminate in globally recognised professional certifications.

“This is more than the commencement of a training programme. It is the beginning of a journey for young Nigerians who will acquire world-class skills in mechanical, instrumentation and electrical disciplines,” he said.

Ogbe noted that specialised competencies in automation, instrumentation, electrical engineering and mechanical operations have become increasingly critical to the safe, efficient and profitable development of Nigeria’s petroleum resources, particularly as the industry prepares for a new wave of investments.

“Instrumentation, electrical and mechanical engineering are foundational to the survival, profitability and safety of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. This training is designed to close existing gaps and prepare participants for industry demands,” he added.

He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity, stressing that the programme provides a platform for participants to develop into innovators, problem-solvers and future leaders capable of driving Nigeria’s energy industry forward.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Nigerian Content Development at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Olarenwaju Lanre Olawuyi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to strengthening indigenous capabilities through sustained investments in human capital development.

Represented by Engr. Funso Alabi, Olawuyi said Renaissance believes that local content development must go beyond policy implementation to creating genuine technical capability that empowers Nigerians to take leading roles across the energy value chain.

According to him, the training combines classroom learning with extensive practical exposure, enabling participants to develop competencies in mechanical systems, electrical operations, instrumentation and control, software development, networking and cybersecurity.

He explained that the practical component is specifically designed to bridge the long-standing gap between academic knowledge and workplace expectations.

“Success requires not only technical competence but also professionalism, integrity, teamwork and a strong safety culture,” he told the trainees.

The Chief Executive Officer of Radial Circle, the programme’s lead training provider, Ranti Omole, described the initiative as a rare opportunity for young Nigerians aspiring to build careers in the global energy industry.

He disclosed that the 300 participants emerged from a highly competitive selection process involving thousands of applicants drawn from the NCDMB database.

Omole explained that the objective extends beyond awarding certificates, noting that the ultimate goal is to produce professionals who are immediately deployable in operational environments.

“We are building competence and skills. By the time you complete this programme, you should be field-ready and able to fit seamlessly into industry operations,” he said.

He encouraged participants to remain disciplined, embrace continuous learning and leverage collaboration with colleagues from different parts of the country throughout the training period.

Stakeholders at the event noted that the initiative supports the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act as well as the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap, both of which seek to expand indigenous participation and develop the skilled workforce required to sustain long-term growth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s energy industry.

The programme is expected to strengthen the country’s local talent pipeline by producing industry-ready professionals equipped with globally competitive technical skills, thereby supporting increased localisation, improving employment opportunities for Nigerian graduates and enhancing the overall capacity of the nation’s oil and gas sector.